Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD & President of the European Council, Jean-Claude Juncker during a meeting over Brexit, trade, the European Budget, and the Eurpoean Council meeting at Government Buildings, Dublin (Image: Collins)

EU chief Jean Claude Juncker has reassured Irish politicians that Europe is backing Ireland all the way in Brexit negotiations with the United Kingdom.

The Commission President signalled his and the Commission’s unwavering support for our position in opposing a hard border arising out of Brexit.

He said that there can never be a return to the hard border we said goodbye to 20 years ago this year.

Speaking outside Leinster House yesterday, Mr Juncker said: “As the European side has made clear on many occasions, the withdrawal agreement must include a legally binding backstop so that there cannot be a hard border on the island of Ireland in the future, whatever circumstances may prevail, and backstop cannot have an expiry date.”

He said that time is of the essence with next week’s Summit a key opportunity for progress.

Michel Barnier, EU Chief Negotiator for Brexit, (left) with Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney at Government Buildings, during a visit to Dublin, ahead of the European Council on 28-29 June to discuss Brexit and other issues currently on the European agenda (Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire)

UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage (L) talks with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker before a plenary session at the EU headquarters in Brussels on June 28, 2016. European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker called on June 28 on Prime Minister David Cameron to clarify quickly when Britain intends to leave the EU, saying there can be no negotiation on future ties before London formally applies to exit. / AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYSJOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images (Image: AFP/Getty Images)